Staten Island lingerie shop has found its niche

Advance photo/Barton HorowitzJoan Correale makes sure the display racks are filled with merchandise in French Secrets Lingerie, the business she owns in New Dorp with her mother, Patricia Hagger.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- NEW DORP -- Some retailers put a key in the door and hope that the customers will follow behind them. Others, like Joan Correale and her mother, Patricia Hagger, don't leave anything to chance.

Since taking over French Secrets Lingerie, New Dorp, in 2003, the mother and daughter team has worked hard to maintain the success of the business, while also donating their free time to better Staten Island. The company is a member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and Joan is an active participant in the Bucks Business Network.

A community advocate, Joan was named by Borough President James Molinaro in March 2004 to serve on the city's Panel for Educational Policy, an appointment she continues to hold. One day prior to her first day in business, she received the Woman of Distinction Award from the late Sen. John J. Marchi on behalf of the New York state Senate. Joan received the recognition for her ongoing support of children with disabilities. The senator, whose career in the state legislature spanned five decades, died April 25.

"I'm heartbroken. It's like I lost a family member," said Joan, just moments after a friend handed her a photo of Joan and the lawmaker. "The fact that Sen. Marchi, with his history, would recognize me for something that I've done, is very special to me."

When Joan and Patricia bought their store six years ago, it was a two-decades old business located on New Dorp Plaza.

"I was friends with the girl who owned the shop (Cathy Muraca, who operated the store with her mother Dora Zevon)," Joan said. "She was looking to sell, and at the time, my husband (Philip) and I were interested in buying a business. We wanted one that I could work at, so my husband could keep his job."

There was a "little bit of a learning curve," at the beginning, Joan said, but it worked out well for her and her mom.

In February 2006, Joan and Patricia relocated their business to its present address at 326 New Dorp Lane. At 1,300 square feet, their new store was nearly three times the size of the original, which enabled them to expand their inventory. It now includes lines like shape wear, bras, post-mastectomy products, lounge wear, skincare products and more.

"It used to be that the mother would come in and just buy for the bride, but I wanted the mother to buy for herself, too -- and come back," Joan said.

Today, the majority of the store's clientele is over 40, a defined demographic that the owners say does not conflict with larger nationwide retailers, such as Victoria's Secret.

"We just love our store," Joan said. "We have a lot of repeat customers, and people leave here feeling good about themselves."

French Secrets Lingerie may be reached at 718-614-6633.

BIZ BUZZ

Looking like royalty -- royalty of the culinary world, that is -- at last week's SI Conference 2009, were members of two well-known Staten Island restaurant families: Edward Gomez of Da Noi and Christina Malerba of Angelina's, who make a terrific-looking couple. Menus may change, but the couple's relationship appears permanent, according to a business insider. Ms. Malerba joined her beau at the Staten Island Economic Development Corp.'s daylong business gathering, which was held in the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield. The Gomezes operate three popular locations, including Travis, Fort Wadsworth and Bayonne, N.J., while the Malerbas attract a following to their Tottenville hot spot.

The Westerleigh resident is in the business of helping clients develop sensible financial strategies and make the best use of employee benefits. In addition, "a large part of our practice has to do group health insurance," said Anthony, who co-owns the 21-year-old business with his father, Anthony Carro. The firm also provides vision, dental, disability, life, long-term care, 401k, 403b and voluntary benefits.

"In this economy, it's particularly important for business owners to re-evaluate the expense of employee benefits when their plans renew on an annual basis. They should shop the entire market to see what other carriers have to offer," Anthony said. The health insurance and employment-benefits division of Red Tree is known as the New York Health Insurance Exchange. The Dongan Hills office may be reached at 718-979-4513.

Barton Horowitz is the Advance senior business writer/columnist. He may be reached by e-mail at horowitz@siadvance.com.